How to prepare for professional window cleaning.

Start with the rooms and views that matter.

A kitchen window, a patio door and upper-level glass can all need different access. Make a simple list as you walk through your home. Separate the windows you want cleaned from glass railings or other surfaces you would like assessed.

For a home in Kelowna or West Kelowna, that might mean the lake-facing glass, the front entry and the patio doors. Your list does not need dimensions. Its job is to help you explain the work without forgetting the pane that bothers you most.

Decide which side of the glass needs attention.

Walk through the rooms you use most and note whether you want outside windows only or both sides cleaned. Include any glass deck railings in that conversation; they are easy to overlook when you’re thinking about windows.

For an inside-and-out quote visit, someone needs to be home so we can see the interior glass. Arrange access before the appointment rather than leaving that detail until the crew arrives.

Our residential window-cleaning page explains the packages and inclusions; this checklist is about getting ready for the visit.

Give us the access notes.

A locked side gate, a pet that uses the garden, or a room that will be occupied during the visit is useful information. Let us know what needs arranging so the visit can be planned around your household.

• Mention gates and any narrow or obstructed approaches.
• Point out fragile items on windowsills or near the glass.
• Ask what needs moving; leave heavy furniture and awkward access for a discussion with the crew.

Make space without making work for yourself.

Tell us about ornaments, plants, furniture or fitted blinds near the glass. Small items you can comfortably move may be worth setting aside, but ask the crew what is needed for the agreed job. Don’t strain to shift a sofa or climb to reach a high windowsill.

If pets use an area the crew will need to pass through, agree on an arrangement in advance. The same goes for a room used for work, a sleeping household member, or any part of the property that should remain closed. Good access notes are more useful than a last-minute rush.

Show us the marks you’re concerned about.

If a particular pane has stubborn marks, point it out during the quote visit. Sprinkler deposits or residue may need assessment beyond an ordinary clean. A quick photo can help explain which window you mean.

Avoid trying an unfamiliar abrasive cleaner or scraping a mark before it has been assessed. Andersen’s glass-care guidance warns against abrasive cleaners on glass. If you know the window manufacturer or have care instructions, mention them.

Putting several outdoor jobs together?

If the windows are one part of a larger clean, list the other areas at the same time. A patio, siding and glass railings should be clearly identified rather than treated as one unnamed extra.

Ask how the work will be arranged before choosing a date. A short, agreed scope is easier to prepare for than an open-ended request to clean everything.

Use our exterior-cleaning planning guide to organise a request involving several surfaces.